Burning Man Ravers Get A Talking To

Some very good articles in the new issue of Thorn on cultural and religious appropriation.

This can be a very touchy subject north of the border too. I agree that the costume idea was in very poor taste. In fact, just the fact that the local natives only found out about the party through tribenet, not an actual organizer throws up a few red flags too. Obviously more education is needed. I hope it was elders doing the lecturing, and I hope it's purpose was to educate, not to shame. If we keep shifting the shame and blame there can never be any peace. Like the comment, go be a druid....that is not respectful, and not fair. I don't expect a family or a tribe to just welcome me in and start teaching me their traditions, and I know I cannot practice any form of aboriginal spirituality unless I am taught by one who practices it. But my family has lived on the west coast of Canada, mainly this Island for 6 generations. I do think that gives me a right to honour this land and it's Gods in my spiritual practices. My animal teachers are local animals, and I use native plants in my workings. I have been lucky enough to have been invited to some first nation's ceremonies, very far and few, and each time I have had my breath taken away. You don't organize a "native" party people, you simply live and work together for the benefit of everyone. When that respect is there, there is no questioning it.

Very well written Bondgrrrl. I cringed when I read this article. I felt the gathering was more out of ignorance than malice. Hopefully the tribal elders tried to educate instead ridicule. I live in the desert southwest region of the U.S. and was very fortunate in having a Native American mentor. Being white the Great Red Path is not for me; however I do honor the God's and spiritual practices of the native peoples along with the God's of my ancestry. Many are the same except for the names.